The holiday’s booked, the flights are paid for, and then it hits you: who looks after the dog (or cat)? In the Netherlands, the usual answer is a dierenpension (boarding kennel/cattery), but you can’t just turn up, there are vaccination rules and booking terms. Here is what to arrange, when, and the words you’ll need.
Book early
First, timing. Dierenpensions fill up fast around school holidays and summer, so book as far ahead as you can. Booking early matters for another reason too (below): vaccinations need lead time.
The vaccination rules (the real catch)
This is what trips owners up. As boarding kennels explain their vaccination requirements, dogs generally need their standard inentingen (against hondenziekte, parvo, etc.) and, very often, kennelhoest (kennel cough).
The crucial part: the kennelhoest vaccine usually must be given in advance, anywhere from about 5 days to a few weeks before arrival, so it has taken effect. As pet-vaccination guidance notes, requirements vary by pension, so check early, leave it late and your pet may be refused at drop-off. (Your dierenarts sorts this, see talking to the vet.)
The contract and what to bring
You’ll sign a contract (overeenkomst) and the pension will want, per boarding-kennel house rules:
- your vaccinatieboekje or dierenpaspoort (vaccination record),
- your dierenarts details and emergency contact,
- food and any medication instructions.
It’s also worth asking the pension a few questions of your own before booking: how many animals they take, whether dogs are walked or have outdoor runs, whether your pet shares a space or has its own kennel/ren, and whether they’re licensed (a dierenpension needs the right permits and is subject to welfare rules). A short kennismaking (introductory visit) lets you see the place and lets an anxious dog or cat get a first look, well worth it for a longer stay.
Alternatives
Not every animal thrives in a kennel. Options:
- a huisdieroppas (pet sitter) who visits or stays;
- a uitlaatservice (dog-walking service) for daily walks (see dog-walking rules);
- a gastgezin (host-family) arrangement.
The vocabulary
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| het dierenpension | boarding kennel/cattery |
| de inentingen / vaccinaties | vaccinations |
| de kennelhoest | kennel cough |
| reserveren | to book |
| het dierenpaspoort | pet vaccination passport |
| de huisdieroppas | pet sitter |
Where it connects
Boarding is part of pet-owner Dutch, alongside talking to the dierenarts (vet), the EU pet passport for travel, and dog-walking rules in Dutch parks. And it’s the four-legged half of holiday prep, paired with setting your out-of-office afwezigheidsbericht.
The bottom line
A dierenpension solves the “who minds the pet” problem, but book early and, above all, get the inentingen in order in advance, especially kennelhoest, which many pensions require given days to weeks before arrival, or your pet is turned away. Bring the dierenpaspoort and dierenarts details, and consider a huisdieroppas or uitlaatservice if a kennel doesn’t suit. Learn dierenpension, inentingen, kennelhoest and reserveren, and the pet side of your trip is sorted.
Learn it in five minutes a day
Learn Dutch For Expats is an app, available on the App Store, that teaches the pet-owner Dutch you need, dierenpension, inentingen, kennelhoest, reserveren by real situation in five-minute lessons, so you can arrange boarding and meet the vaccination rules instead of being turned away at drop-off.
Frequently asked questions
What vaccinations does my pet need for a Dutch dierenpension?
Dogs generally need their standard vaccinations (against distemper, parvovirus, etc.) and, very often, kennelhoest (kennel cough), which many pensions require. Crucially, the kennel-cough vaccine must usually be given in advance, anywhere from about 5 days to a few weeks before arrival, depending on the pension’s rules, so it has taken effect. Cats have their own required shots. Always check the specific pension’s requirements early.
How far ahead should I book a pet boarding place?
As early as you can, especially for school holidays and summer, when dierenpensions fill up fast. Booking early also gives you time to get any missing vaccinations done within the pension’s required lead time, which can be weeks for kennel cough. Leaving it late risks both no space and a vaccination that won’t have taken effect in time, so the pet can’t be admitted.
What are the alternatives to a dierenpension?
If your pet does better at home, you can hire a huisdieroppas (pet sitter) who visits or stays, or for dogs a uitlaatservice (dog-walking service) for daily walks while you’re at work. Some people use a gastgezin (host family) arrangement. Each has its own trust and contract considerations; for longer trips abroad, the dierenpension or a live-in sitter is usually the most reliable.
What is the best app to learn Dutch for pet care?
Learn Dutch For Expats, an app available on the App Store, is the best pick because it teaches the pet-owner Dutch you need, dierenpension, inentingen, kennelhoest, reserveren, in five-minute lessons built around real situations, so you can arrange boarding and meet the vaccination rules instead of being turned away at drop-off.
